Is owning a landscaping company profitable?

It can be if you’re willing to work about 10–12 hours a day for about 10 months of the year. It’s not a get rich quick business.

Along with @janbb ‘s answer, I will add that you must stay on top of your billing. Make it as easy as possible for people to pay you. Not just check and checks, but PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and other electronic payment systems I may have forgotten.

If you’re in an area with snowy weather, you will want to consider a plowing service as part of your business. This helps with winter cash flow.

If you are a one person operation you will have a hard time making significant money.
Rather, have employees that you can pay, for example, $15 per hour and charge the customers $50/hour if using your own equipment.
You spend your time running the business, getting customers, paying the bills, getting contracts, lining up equipment to rent, repair, or buy.
Landscapers here cut grass, trim trees, clean rain gutters, plow snow, as well as planting trees and making gardens.
Sadly, the key to profitability is paying your employees much less than what you charge for their time.

FWIW I have a small lot. My landscaper charges me $20/week for mowing and blowing. he has two employees that have worked for him for years. I don’t know what he pays them but his profit margin can’t be terribly high. I don’t think he’s charging anyone $50/hr.

@janbb How long does it take them to do your lot? If they get it all done in 20 minutes and do a couple of neighbors as well so travel is not an issue then he’s getting about $50/hr using his own equipment. With 2 employees his profit is thin indeed. I hope you tip well. That is a tough business.

I would say about 40 minutes between mowing and blowing and yes, they do several houses on the street. The owner of the business works the street as well. I think it’s not an easy way to make a living unless it’s work you enjoy.